FAFSA on the Web Skip Logic: A Tutorial

FAFSA on the Web Skip Logic: A Tutorial Valerie LeforGinger Klock U.S. Department of Education

Agenda • History • Definitions of Simplified Needs Test and Auto Zero • Criteria for Dependent Student • Criteria for Independent Student • Key Data Elements • Examples • Scenarios • Resources

History The Secretary shall develop and use an easily identifiable simplified application section as part of the common financial reporting form prescribed under section 1090(a) of this title for families described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. (2) Reduced data requirements The simplified application form shall— (A) in the case of a family meeting the requirements of subsection (b)(1) of this section, permit such family to submit only the data elements required under subsection (b)(2) of this section for the purposes of establishing eligibility for student financial aid under this part; and (B) in the case of a family meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, permit such family to be treated as having an expected family contribution equal to zero for purposes of establishing such eligibility and to submit only the data elements required to make a determination…

What does it mean to be SNT or AZ? • The Simplified Needs Test (SNT) excludes assets from the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation for low to moderate-income families who file simplified tax returns (1040A or 1040EZor a tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, or the Virgin Islands), meet the definition of a dislocated worker, or receive means-tested federal benefits. • The Automatic Zero (AZ) EFC calculation is designed for low-income applicants who meet the criteria described above. The applicant will receive an EFC of zero and does not need to supply income or asset information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Dependent vs. Independent • There are differences between the criteria for AZ and SNT depending on whether the applicant is dependent or independent. • More information (http://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/fafsa-dependency.pdf)

Dependent Student

Simplified Needs Test Criteria • Indicate that the parents “Already completed” or “Will file” (Q79) a 1040A or 1040EZ or a tax return from PR, another U.S. territory or Freely Associated State (Q80) and their adjusted gross income (AGI) is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q83), or • Indicate that the parents are “Not going to file” a tax return (Q79) and their combined income earned from work is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q86 + Q87), or • Answer “Yes” to the parent dislocated worker question (Q82) and indicate that their AGI is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q83), or

Additional Simplified Needs Criteria • Check at least one of the parent federal benefits boxes (with the exception of “None of the above”) (Q74 – 78) and indicate that their AGI is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q83), or • Indicate that the parents were “eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ” (Q81) and their AGI is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q83).

Auto Zero Criteria • Indicate that the parents “Already completed” or “Will file” (Q79) a 1040A or 1040EZ or a tax return from PR, another U.S. territory or Freely Associated State (Q80) and their adjusted gross income (AGI) is $24,000 or less (Q83), or • Indicate that the parents are “Not going to file” a tax return (Q79) and their combined income earned from work is $24,000 or less (Q86 + Q87), or • Answer “Yes” to the parent dislocated worker question (Q82) and indicate that their AGI is $24,000 or less (Q83), or

Additional Auto Zero Criteria • Check at least one of the parent federal benefits boxes (with the exception of “None of the above”) (Q74 – 78) and indicate that their AGI is $24,000 or less (Q83), or • Indicate that the parents were “eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ” (Q81) and their AGI is $24,000 or less (Q83).

Independent Student

Simplified Needs Test Criteria • Indicate that the student “Already completed” or “Will file” (Q32) a 1040A or 1040EZ or a tax return from PR, another U.S. territory or Freely Associated State (Q33) and his/her AGI is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q35), or • Indicate that the student is “Not going to file” a tax return (Q32) and his/her (and spouse’s) combined income earned from work is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q38 + Q39), or • Answer “Yes” to the student dislocated worker question (Q100) and indicate that the student’s AGI is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q35), or

Additional Simplified Needs Test Criteria • Check at least one of the student federal benefits boxes (with the exception of “None of the above”) (Q95 – 99) and indicate that the student’s AGI is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q35), or • Indicate that the student was “eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ” (Q34) and his/her AGI is between $24,001 and $49,999 (Q35).

Additional Simplified Needs Test Criteria for Independent Student • In addition, Independent students who meet any one of the 5 sets of criteria previously described and have no dependents other than a spouse (Q50 and Q51 are “No”) qualify for SNT if their AGI or total income (depending on filing status) is $24,000 or less. This is because an Independent student must have dependents other than a spouse in order to qualify for AZ.

Auto Zero Criteria • Indicate that the student “Already completed” or “Will file” (Q32) a 1040A or 1040EZ or a tax return from PR, another U.S. territory or Freely Associated State (Q33) and his/her AGI is $24,000 or less (Q35), or • Indicate that the student is “Not going to file” a tax return (Q32) and his/her (and spouse’s) combined income earned from work is $24,000 or less (Q38 + Q39), or • Answer “Yes” to the student dislocated worker question (Q100) and indicate that the student’s AGI is $24,000 or less (Q35), or

Additional Auto Zero Criteria • Check at least one of the student federal benefits boxes (with the exception of “None of the above”) (Q95 – 99) and indicate that the student AGI is $24,000 or less (Q35), or • Indicate that the student was “eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ” (Q34) and his/her AGI is $24,000 or less (Q35), ***AND*** • Indicate that the student has dependents other than a spouse (Q50 and/or Q51 is “Yes”).

Key Data Elements • Student’s State of Legal Residence (FOTW only) • Household Size • Financial information: tax filing status, type of tax return, AGI (tax filers only), income earned from work (non-tax filers only), dislocated worker status, receipt of means-tested federal benefits, and eligibility to file a 1040A or 1040EZ

Examples of Skip Logic

Example #1- Dependent Auto Zero (Skipping) #1 #2 #3 If parent filed 1040 A/EZ, this would not display Still one more chance to qualify Screening question asking to skip

Taken Directly To Sign and Submit Page Parent asset questions and all of the student income and asset questions skipped

Information on Confirmation Page Auto Zero EFC

Example #2- Dependent Auto Zero (No Skipping) Answered the same as first scenario Answered No to skipping

Next Pages (with high values)

Confirmation Page Still has an Auto Zero EFC

Example #3-Independent SNT • Dependent students who qualify for SNT do not have to report parent or student assets. • Independent students who qualify for SNT do not have to report the student assets.

Asset Threshold Question • Question displays and is dynamic, to include appropriate APA based on marital status and age. • If an independent student answers no, it looks very similar to an Independent SNT student. • If a dependent student, the asset threshold question is present for the parent, but not present for the student. The student is required to provide asset information.

Scenario #1 • Billy, a Maryland resident, was born on October 31st, 1985. He is a very busy guy working full time and raising his daughter on his own. His 1040A income tax return last year reported his income at $19,500. One of his friends suggests that he could take night classes at the local community college as a way to boost his work place skills and possibly get a pay increase. • Billy completes his online FAFSA to see what he might qualify for. What path would he be on?

Scenario #2 • Sally, from South Dakota, is an independent single student with no dependents. She was recently let go from her job and meets the criteria for a dislocated worker. She is working hard to recover, but with the economy, the only work she could find is filling in as a barista. Much to her dismay and her love of shoes, her 1040 shows she is now only making $24,000. She decides that she might need to go back to school and wants to see if she qualifies for federal student aid. • What path on FAFSA on the Web would she be on?

Scenario #3 • George, 30 and Judy, 29 are residents of Louisiana and are newlyweds. They have many reasons in their life to celebrate as Judy was just accepted to law school. However, they are a little worried about the finances because with Judy returning to school their 1040A shows that they make $22,000 a year from George’s income. Judy decides to complete her online FAFSA to see what they would qualify for. • What path would she be on?

Additional Resources • EFC Formula Guide (http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/091312EFCFormulaGuide1314.html) • Justification of Data Elements • Demo Site: fafsademo.test.ed.gov User name: eddemoPassword: fafsatest

Contact Information • Valerie Lefor • Valerie.Lefor@ed.gov • Ginger Klock • Ginger.Klock@ed.gov

Questions? Thanks for coming!

FAFSA on the Web Skip Logic: A Tutorial